A cheeky coincidence… (Picture: BBC)
A pre-recorded episode of Pointless aired on BBC One tonight, with one question asking about Prime Ministers who have served a lengthy time in office… hours after Liz Truss became the shortest serving PM.
Earlier today, the PM delivered a speech outside Downing Street to announce that she was stepping down from the role after a disastrous short term, which has included crashing the economy and the departure of both her Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home Secretary.
She’s only been in office for 44 days.
In a coincidental category titled ‘politicians and their periods of office’ Pointless contestants were asked: ‘British Prime Ministers who served for two years or longer’.
Lauren Laverne explained: ‘We’re looking for the name of any Prime Minister of the United Kingdom since 1721 who has held the office of PM for two years of longer.
‘The period of office might cover non-consecutive terms, and this runs up to the beginning of March 2022.’
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Liz Truss resigns: What happens next?
Liz Truss has stepped down as Conservative Party leader and UK Prime Minister after just 44 days. So what happens next?
– Liz Truss’ speech in full after resigning as Prime Minister
– Will the new Prime Minister be elected by the public?
– Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to go head to head
– Pound rises against the dollar after Liz Truss resigns
Read the latest Liz Truss news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
So the March 2022 deadline wouldn’t let Liz be one of the answers anyway… nor would the fact she only lasted six weeks.
Correct answers included Sir John Major, who was PM for six years, and Gordon Brown, who served in office for two years (318 days, to be exact).
Liz Truss resigns: What happens next?
Liz Truss has stepped down as Conservative Party leader and UK Prime Minister after just 44 days. So what happens next?
– Liz Truss’ speech in full after resigning as Prime Minister
– Will the new Prime Minister be elected by the public?
– Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak to go head to head
– Pound rises against the dollar after Liz Truss resigns
Read the latest Liz Truss news on Metro.co.uk’s dedicated page.
The PM brought her tumultuous 44-day premiership to an end after frenzied plotting among her own MPs, who lost faith in her ability to govern following a disastrous ‘mini-budget’ and days of chaos at the heart of government.
Now, a day after she said ‘I am a fighter not a quitter’, Britain is set to have a new leader within a week.
More: Trending
On the steps of Downing Street, the PM told the nation that she recognised, ‘given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.’
Pointless airs weekdays from 5.15pm on BBC One and is available to watch on iPlayer.
Liz Truss’ resignation statement in full
‘I came into office at a time of great economic and international instability.
Families and businesses were worried about how to pay their bills.
Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine threatens the security of our whole continent. And our country has been held back for too long by low economic growth.
I was elected by the Conservative Party with a mandate to change this – we delivered on energy bills and on cutting national insurance.
And we set out a vision for a low-tax, high-growth economy that would take advantage of the freedoms of Brexit.
I recognise though, given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party.
I have therefore spoken to His Majesty the King to notify him that I am resigning as leader of the Conservative Party.
This morning I met the chairman of the 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady. We have agreed that there will be a leadership election to be completed within the next week.
This will ensure that we remain on a path to deliver our fiscal plans and maintain our country’s economic stability and national security.
I will remain as Prime Minister until a successor has been chosen. Thank you.’
MORE : Richard Osman reveals he ‘didn’t get paid’ for Pointless until it became a ‘hit’ after season 4
A cheeky coincidence!